In case you’ve forgotten, Xiaobo received the Nobel Peace Prize* last fall. Unlike the previous winner, since he sits in a Chinese prison, he was unable to claim the prize. Via wikipedia, a choice Xiaobo quote:

Modernization means whole-sale westernization, choosing a human life is choosing Western way of life. Difference between Western and Chinese governing system is humane vs in-humane, there’s no middle ground… Westernization is not a choice of a nation, but a choice for the human race.

No wonder the Chinese government hates him, no? Xiaobo has said it would take 300 years for China to catch up to the Western world.

So while the head of Chinese government sit at the White House tonight, eating Maine Lobster, rib eye and “the best of America,” I will think of Xiaobo and wonder if he’s lucky enough to have fish heads in his rice porridge tonight courtesy Hu and his minions.

Jay Nordlinger calls this state dinner a “stain” upon our honor. (H/t: Pundette, who asks, “And we’re giving a dictator a state dinner why?”). Nordlinger:

… America is a nation that’s supposed to stand for something — for freedom, and human dignity, above all. We’re not supposed to be like every other nation. We’re supposed to be exceptional. Different. A beacon unto man.

[…]

American honor has been stained this week. A degree of shame rests upon this nation. We should hope that the prisoners and the strugglers — who want nothing more than what you and I are damn lucky to have — forgive us.

I hope someone chokes on the damn apple pie.

Related: Pundette on the wizard of smart Senate majority leader’s blooper: Hu is a dictator. (I only wish it had been Biden.)